NW Valley Times

Tim Kelley, Chair of Entrepreneurship at Grand Canyon University's Colangelo College of Business, is completing his third trip to Colombia, where he has been assisting potential entrepreneurs. As chairman of Canyon Angels at GCU’s Colangelo College of Business, Kelley is experienced in setting up limited liability companies efficiently.

“It’s become a very pragmatic training, and the spirit of entrepreneurship at the grassroots level is just wonderful to see,” said Kelley.

This marks Kelley’s third year teaching in the Develop Your Model of Entrepreneurship program, founded by John Dobson, associate professor at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Dobson has taught entrepreneurship classes in various countries including Canada, China, Colombia, France, Honduras, Mexico, Malaysia, Nepal, Spain, the Philippines, Uganda and England.

The program aims to provide entrepreneurs in developing economies with access to global entrepreneurial education. Its one- to two-day workshops are held in partnership with multiple cities throughout Colombia as well as the Bogotá Botanical Gardens and several universities.

Enrollment has grown from about 100 during Kelley’s first year to 170 in cities such as Bogotá and Cúcuta. Representatives from four Venezuelan universities have driven up to eight hours to attend sessions in Cúcuta near the Venezuelan border.

Kelley and his colleagues from Harvard University, UC San Diego and Clark University are seeking ways to help informal entrepreneurs become registered businesses despite bureaucratic challenges prevalent in regions like Latin America and Africa. Many countries follow a civil law system requiring entrepreneurs to contact a local notary public for incorporation—a process that can be costly and time-consuming.

Kelley noted that while Colombia has attempted to reduce upfront costs and regulatory burdens for businesses, payroll taxes and income taxes under a graduated system present additional challenges for emerging markets. Despite these hurdles, interest in entrepreneurship remains high.

“They view it as the path to economic development so you don’t have people depending on the government,” Kelley said. “They literally work to serve one another. It’s a beautiful model. That’s why capitalism works.”

During trips to Colombia, teams often visit farms and urban micro-farmers. “We’ll literally say, ‘Where are your customers? Let’s go talk to them,’" Kelley explained. “We’ll show them a business with the food they’re growing.”

Kelley’s involvement began four years ago after meeting professors from Clark and Harvard at an entrepreneurship training conference at Notre Dame. Fluent in Spanish with a passion for entrepreneurship in Latin America led him to join the Develop Your Model of Entrepreneurship program quickly.

“I love it,” Kelley said. “It’s my mission in life. It’s why I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and the chance to spread the Gospel of freedom.”

His efforts have enhanced GCU's stature globally. “When they hear about our program, they’re shocked at what we offer,” Kelley stated. “And none of the universities have anything comparable."

Kelley continues conducting seminars and Zoom calls with various groups worldwide: "It's a great chance to spread the great works of GCU around the world," he concluded.

Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]